Support UPO's Foster Grandparents Program

“This class has given me new skills so I can help the children. I have always enjoyed technology but I never had the opportunity to learn in an environment geared toward people my age. The teacher strengthened my computer skills for volunteer service and for life.”

– UPO Foster Grandma Sarah Burton, age 78, who has mentored children for 7 years

Our “Foster Grandparents” — senior volunteers who mentor children — want to be the best possible educators. That’s why UPO’s Foster Grandparent Program is committed to providing every volunteer with the training they need to support children in Title 1 schools — the kids who need the most help in literacy, math, motor skills, and social-emotional skills.

The DC Public Schools Empowerment Literacy Initiative is a comprehensive 3-year commitment to close the digital divide and empower every young learner. It will ensure that students in grades 3-12 have equitable access to technology and our Foster Grandparents will help to meet this goal. Over the past year, we provided a laptop and computer literacy training to 125 Foster Grandparents; the project is a well-documented success.

We also see the value of computer literacy for seniors, especially for access to healthcare and family. And research shows that volunteering improves their health and reduces feelings of depression and isolation (see americorps.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2019/volunteering-helps-keep-seniors-healthy-new-study-suggests).

As a result, we want to provide computer literacy to all of our current Foster Grandparents and all future ones by making computer literacy a permanent part of our training for new volunteers. Your support will give our seniors a skill set that enhances their lives and enables them to give the highest-quality support to children so they can learn and RISE!